It is always a pleasure and honour for me to connect with Fulham supporters, but especially so during the festive season. No matter our record or circumstances, I find Christmas is always a wonderful time to pause and reflect for all we have to enjoy here at Fulham Football Club. When you combine the occasion with your beloved club and add the warmth and charm of Craven Cottage in December, it’s as good as it gets in sport.
I’ve never felt better at this time of the year in what is now my 12th holiday season serving as your Chairman. Of course, what is far more important is how you feel, and I hope your spirits are as high as mine. Now nearly halfway through the season, we have faced 16 of our Premier League opponents as we prepare to welcome Southampton this afternoon to Craven Cottage. And, virtually without exception, we have been outstanding, producing performances and results that have earned the respect of the league and our supporters alike.
Though we were unfortunate to leave Liverpool on 14 December without a victory, our 2-2 draw showcased our considerable talent, outstanding depth and a fearless spirit against a side that is widely deemed one of the best in the world, particularly at Anfield. Marco Silva and his staff always prepare our squad to play attractive and forward-thinking football, and it’s a joy to behold. I am very happy for our travelling fans who sold out our away allocation for the fixture and were a vocal presence throughout a sometimes excruciating but always thrilling match. I know you returned home full of pride and anticipation for more of the same throughout the season, and I thank you for your support!
The Liverpool result was preceded by a daunting stretch of three matches within eight days against European challengers, and we answered those tests impressively as well. Injuries and suspensions did not derail us from gaining five points, highlighted by a strong 3-1 victory at home vs. Brighton and Hove Albion between well-earned London derby draws at Tottenham Hotspur and here vs. Arsenal. Each match offered memorable moments and further strengthened our standing, deservedly, in the top half of the Premier League table.
Of course, possibly no match this season or in recent years will be remembered more fondly than our 2-1 win here in early November vs. Brentford. Congratulations to Harry Wilson for earning the Premier League’s Guinness Goal of the Month award in November for his deft stoppage-time equaliser that set the stage for even more magic a few moments later. Well done, Harry!
Two final notes on our season to date. First, I’m delighted to see so many of our players being counted on by their national teams, with Harry Wilson, Raúl Jiménez, Andreas Pereira, Antonee Robinson, Sander Berge, Saša Lukić, Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Luc De Fougerolles all being summoned home this season. That means Fulham Football Club has been represented on four continents during recent international breaks, serving as a testament to the talent of our players as well as our recruitment team. International duty does come with risks, of course, but the best teams in the Premier League customarily feature a generous number of internationals. To see Fulham in that company speaks to our quality and potential, and that’s something all of us can be proud of.
Second, I am looking forward to Fulham welcoming Watford on Thursday, 9 January, in our first FA Cup competition this season. We have ambition to make a run in the tournament and Watford, competing for a play-off position in the Championship, will provide an excellent test. Your support that evening will be crucial and appreciated!
I’ve said before, but it bears repeating, that we take seriously the concept that we are more than just the Men’s First Team here at Fulham. We strive to be the best in all areas of the club, and the efforts of our staff are clearly paying off.
It’s been a fantastic first half to the season for our Fulham Academy sides, with both the U21s and U18s currently sitting towards the top of the table in their respective divisions. The U21s are averaging well over two goals per game across all competitions and are well placed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup and National League Cup, while the U18s have proven tough to beat since losing their opening two fixtures.
The Fulham FC Women’s First and U18 teams are similarly in impressive form, with both teams currently unbeaten in all competitions. The First Team finished its 2024 schedule on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Barking, and that followed an away win at Brentford in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup that takes the squad to the fourth round of the tournament. We drew the London City Lionesses for a home tie on Sunday, 12 January, marking the team’s third match at Craven Cottage this season. With an afternoon kick-off, I hope you’ll consider spending the day here at the Cottage in support of Head Coach Steve Jaye and his outstanding team!
Our work as a club off the pitch has been no less impressive. Fulham Football Club recently won a bronze honour in the Club of the Year category at the Sports Business Awards, which recognise and reward behind-the-scenes achievement by the teams. Our submission centred on the inspiring work of Eleanor Rowland, our Director of Safeguarding and Inclusion, and her excellent team in improving equality across the game. It’s an important endeavour and I am indebted to Eleanor and everyone at our Club who make this their mission in their careers and lives.
We were humbled to learn that the New Riverside Stand was recognised with a first-place award in the stadium initiative category by the European Stadium and Safety Management Association. The organisation lauded the project for redeveloping Craven Cottage into a 24/7 community hub, modernising the stadium while boosting the local economy and blending seamlessly with its riverside location. It’s quite an honour, and one we will treasure.
Indeed, the life and vibrancy we expected on matchdays at the New Riverside Stand is happening as we progress toward completion in 2025. All the Matchday Plus and Dugout areas have opened to great reviews, and Sky Deck options will become available beginning with the Manchester United fixture on Sunday evening, 26 January. The live music and entertainment throughout the day, regular visits by current and past players highlighted by Q&A sessions and meet and greets, and attractive food and beverage offers prior to and following every match are just some of the highlights, with more to come.
As a reminder, the Riverside becomes available to supporters in all stands approximately 15 minutes after the final whistle after each match. It’s then when the riverwalk opens to the public, and that has become a wonderful amenity for our neighbourhood, providing an uninterrupted stroll or jog along the River Thames. To think that was not possible until now is hard to imagine, but that was then. This is now, and the future!
So, if you haven’t had a chance to check out the New Riverside Stand, I hope you will. We provided a tour to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan prior to the Aston Villa match in October and I was grateful to read his social media post the following day which said, “As well as a home for Fulham FC, this new development will also provide a community hub and a world-class business and leisure destination.” And I have two excellent instances of business and leisure at the Riverside to share.
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In the area of business, we recently announced a partnership with global financial technology leader FIS to introduce Markers Presented by FIS, an innovation space and technology hub within Fulham Pier, which is an integral part of the New Riverside Stand development. Fulham Pier will be a riverfront destination unlike anything in London, open every day of the year with restaurants and cafes, a hotel, and spa and members club all overlooking the Thames. Markers Presented by FIS will serve as a hub for business leaders in a “town centre” within West London, and I thank FIS for its support and bold vision for our club, our home, and the City of London.
And for leisure, we’re opening the Riverside on Boxing Day ahead of our fixture at Chelsea. Free to attend with food and beverages available for purchase, the Riverside will be open to the public on Thursday, 26 December, from 11am to 6pm with live music and entertainment throughout the day to get us in the mood for the SW6 derby. Whether attending prior to making the short trip to Stamford Bridge or staying to watch with fellow FFC supporters on one of our many screens, the event will be a great example of the kind of activity you can expect throughout the season and year. Please join us!
So, overall, we have a lot to be grateful for – and look forward to – here at Fulham Football Club. You can be confident that we will never be satisfied. We will continue to do our absolute best for our loyal supporters, while striving to meet or exceed the expectations of all. With the holidays upon us, however, this does provide an opportunity to pause and enjoy the moment we’re in, and I hope you will.
This is also an occasion for me to thank everyone who makes Fulham Football Club one of the most beloved and respected clubs in all of football. Long before my arrival, Fulham had earned the reputation of being a club grounded in values, tradition and respect. That hasn’t changed and never will, thanks to the exceptional people who represent, serve and love our club every minute of every day.
To our coaches, players, alumni, football staff, board members, fan advisory groups, employees and of course our supporters here in London and throughout the world, my appreciation for you is deep. I wish you and yours all the best during the holidays and all of 2025 and beyond.
With that, I hope you have a great afternoon today at Craven Cottage! I know you’ll welcome visiting supporters from Southampton with your traditional class and grace, and I’m every bit as confident that you will help lift our squad with your energy and voice from all four stands.
Have a safe and happy festive season! Come on, Fulham!
Shahid Khan
